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The Giving Tree | 
 enlarge | Creator: Shel Silverstein
Publisher: HarperCollins
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy Used: $3.99
You Save: $13.00 (77%)
New (62) Collectible (9) from $7.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  600 reviews
Sales Rank: 1077
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 64
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 10.1 x 7.3 x 0.6
ISBN: 0060256656
UPC: 000060256652
EAN: 9780060256654
ASIN: 0060256656
Publication Date: October 7, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Help save a tree. Buy all your used books from Green Earth Books. Read -> Recycle -> Reuse!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
To say that this particular apple tree is a "giving tree" is an understatement. In Shel Silverstein's popular tale of few words and simple line drawings, a tree starts out as a leafy playground, shade provider, and apple bearer for a rambunctious little boy. Making the boy happy makes the tree happy, but with time it becomes more challenging for the generous tree to meet his needs. When he asks for money, she suggests that he sell her apples. When he asks for a house, she offers her branches for lumber. When the boy is old, too old and sad to play in the tree, he asks the tree for a boat. She suggests that he cut her down to a stump so he can craft a boat out of her trunk. He unthinkingly does it. At this point in the story, the double-page spread shows a pathetic solitary stump, poignantly cut down to the heart the boy once carved into the tree as a child that said "M.E. + T." "And then the tree was happy... but not really." When there's nothing left of her, the boy returns again as an old man, needing a quiet place to sit and rest. The stump offers up her services, and he sits on it. "And the tree was happy." While the message of this book is unclear (Take and take and take? Give and give and give? Complete self-sacrifice is good? Complete self-sacrifice is infinitely sad?), Silverstein has perhaps deliberately left the book open to interpretation. (All ages) --Karin Snelson
Product Description
'Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy.' So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return. Ages 10+
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| Customer Reviews: Read 595 more reviews...
 A Changing Lesson for EVERY Age August 26, 2008
Every child and adult should have this book.
There are many controversies about The Giving Tree, many will write that it is a self-less act of love, an issue with co-dependency, or may even send a bad example of relationships with creating selfish children/adults.
I think one of the greatest things about this story is that you can interpret it differently at evolving life stages.
From a child who sees a self-less act of love to an adult who has been in a troubled relationship (much like the tree and the boy).
Regardless, I believe that this story clearly shows 2 sides of A relationship, and if the the reader feels bad for the tree - it is a way to learn how to appreciate and recognize such unconditional love. To always be thankful.
The Giving Tree August 9, 2008
This book was purchased for my 7 year old grandaughter who kept taking book from the library. We thought purchasing the book she loved so much was a wonderful way to show her that giving can help others in life. She was so pleased to read book, and now to hear the authors voice along with the book makes it even more special.
tear jerker August 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Try reading this for the first time while pregnant and see a psychiatrist if it doesn't bring tears to your eyes. This is a good story to help anyone of any age to better understand life.
Wonderful book and now the CD as well August 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a wonderful bood and now to have him read it as well, is great.
A GOOD STORY ABOUT LOVE AND THE PERFECT HAPPINESS OF GODs' handy WORK! July 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Hello spiritual family,
This book is about loving caring and being blessed by God.
Sincerely,
Michael E Litchmore
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